::nods:: in that, my friend, I wholeheartedly agree with you..

::finally the seranade of accapella expertise winds down and the priests bow to the four corners of the dais and step down to different sides to talk with the crowd::

Lord, what do you feel about what we have seen, here?

Hmmm? Yes, it... everything... is very... correct.

::maria pokes the Don jestingly in the side:: My brother hasnt been to a church in how long?

:;Tien raised his eye brow:: Correct?

::eyebrow quirks at Maria's statement::

He confesses to me, my lady.

Everything but what Maria said

::Shakes his head:: My Don, we must remedy this. Come.

::to himself:: Odd...

::Headds off to the main chapel::

::Moves to An's side:: This is a wondrous piece of architecture, hmm?

::grins at having befuddled her brother and heads over to talk to a priestess::

Well, we are here. Let us continue onward. ::follows Tien::

Yes, very.

Let us go inside the chapel, and observe inside, hmm? ::moves to the chapel::

::heads toward the chapel::

::Arrives at the steps of the chape. Kneel and Place forehead on step and pray.::

::maria finishes her brief chat and follows towards teh *basilica*, which is much larger than a chapel::

((lol.. okay, point taken :))

::Repeat for each step into the Basilica.::

::the basilica, thankfully, only has about a dozen steps, leading up to huge opened doors...

((That means one prayer for each saint and member of the party))

leading into a grand nave and sanctuary with grand stairways lead up to other levels::

::watches Tien's ministrations respectfully, never stepping around or over him::

::steps up behind Tien, but does not pass him::

::maria also does likewise, respecting Tien's prayers::

::when you reach the top and look in you see that amidst the bright colors the church is hardly filled, with only a few faithful here very early for the night congregation::

::a large jovial looking man with swarthy skin and black hair, wearing eskatonic robes stands just inside the door and turns to face you:: Greetings

:;Take the Don by the hand and lead him into the nave::

We are rarely graced by nobles of the Hazat

::Bows:: Greeting Brother.

::he half bows to everyone:: and to you Brother

::smiles:

::Big Grin::

Are you here for services or may i give you a tour?

My lord has been away from the body of the church for many years. We have come for services ::Bows::

Perhaps a tour afterwards.

And private council.

::nods:: if you wish.. services will commence in a few hours

Ah, perhaps we can speek to the cheif priest or his assistance.

The chief priest? ::he smiles amiably:: how chief do you wish to go?

::Look of shock:: THe archbishop is not here, is he?

the Presbuteros you mean? No, he's away on meditation at the moment

::Look of relief:: Good, meditation is good for the soul. We would like to speak with the chief elder. We have questions about holy places.

::looks on, silently::

perhaps i may assist you.. I am Philosophus Blandino

::Steps to the side of the main entrence:: We are seeking places touched by the UR. We have seen visions and that is why we are here.

::he raises an eyebrow in surprise:: that is news indeed... would you like for me to find a magister to hear your tale?

::Eyes the Don and Ruiz. Looking for an answer::

I think that would be... beneficial. Thank you.

::Smiles and Bows::

::he bows and disappears for a few minutes::

::nods::

::looks on, silently, face impassive::

My Don, you may wish to do the speaking to the magister.

I know very little of everyone's visions though.

That way, I do not reveil more then you wish.

What do you think, Ruiz?

This is your area of expertise Tien, you should lead the discussion

Do you wish the magisister to know for what reason we seek the gargolyes?

::Turns to the Don:: Do you, my Don, wish to speak for us? It seems you would have the ear of the magister more readily than anyone else in our group, save Tien.

I think that the Visions are more important than the gargoyle now. And I believe that everyone can speak for themselves best.

Then I may suggest at each, in their own words, relay their visons to the magister.

I think the magister will be more interested in the truth over etiquette.

::nods:: I agree.. Yes, that would be apropriate.

Yes. As you wish.

::Blandino returns down some stairs smiling:: If you would please to follow me to the terrace?

::Lets the Don Lead up the stairs::

::follows Tien and the Don::

::you all follow blandino up wave after wave of stairs, leading to level after level, all exposed to an immense dropoff into the sanctuary below... finally as you begin to tire and grow very close to the dome up above you're led out a side exit and find yourself atop a platform supported by a minaret and it's butress, looking dozens of yards down towards the ground in the platform surrounded by a thin low wall... you have an immense view of the entire city, seeing for the first time the mandala like organization and regularity of the city and its surrounding countryside... a man sits in a chair on the other side of the terrace before another door inward, and he motions to five chairs before him::

::looking down, somewhat amazed by the city's design::

::the man himself is unimpressive, a middle aged man with long graying hair in embroidered gray robes with the eskatonic frock::

::Waits for everyone to have a seat, then sits on the floor at the feet of the Don::

::moves to a seat, sits::

::only by looking in his smouldering eyes do you sense his power::

::blandino returns the way he came::

::Bows with forehaed to the floor::

::An takes an end seat, and Maria takes the other end ..i assume the don sits in teh center:

::nods at the man, with repect::

::in a deep strong voice the man says:: brother, please take a seat

::Rises and sits beside the Don.::

::listens::

::he smiles to you all:: Greetings ::though the wind whistles all around it does not disturb you up here, even to stop sound::

:;Eyes to the floor:: Venerable Father.

The good Pater Blandino tells me you've experienced visions on a quest

::Nods::

::nods also::

We seek a place left by the UR.

Would you like to tell me about yourselves and your visions?

::Looks at the Don::

Tien, perhaps you should speak first.

As you will it. I was brough to these, my companions by a vision from the Pancreator. I saw that there were three knights heading into darkness and that I was to be their guiding light as a great darkness gathers about them. We has been given a quest, to find a gargoyle.

::he nods, absorbing the info::

We have visited BZII and there were granted more visions from a gargoyle on that planet. That has lead us here.

::he nods again:: So you were questing to find a gargoyle because....

The gargoyle showed me that I was all along, at peace, but all alone. For the house of my Lord. ANd to defeat the enemies rising against them. ::Bows::

::Looks at the Don and Ruiz::

::turns to the Don:: With my Lord's permission, may I speak?

::listens to each::

::nods::

::turns o the man:: Father, I am Isfahan Ruiza de Los Santos. I am of the path of the Warrior, and am in service to my Lord Ric.

::he bows a bit to you:: I am called Emrys

::stands, and bows back, to the waist:: My association with my companions has allowed me to know a bit more about myself,

((first person to tell me what literary character inspired this priest, in IM, gets bonus exp))

and about life as a whole.. The vision I had from the gargoyles on BZII helped.. My vision dealt with duty and honor, Father. ::turns a bit to Ric, but is directed, generally, at the priest::

((ric gets it, but anyone else is free to guess))

I am to try and balance the two, for if I do not I will have to choose between them.. ::looks at Ric:: and the choice will be difficult.

::he nods, taking it in, then turns to Ricardo::

Father, that was the scope of my vision. ::sits back down::

::moves in his seat, never quite getting comfortable::

((I'm starting to hate AOL. Keeps interrupting my sessions))

The Vision granted me had me playing a game with my father.

((LOL join the club. BTW, what literary character was it?))

((if you dont guess you dont learn <g>))

((lol but stephen, I can't guess if I don't have a basis on the character, right?))

There is a rather... questionable... man we have traffick with who did what I could not.

(( everyone knows this character, or should if you live in the western world and play games. with medieval themes))

He showed action where I showed hesitation. He achieved glory where I showed cowardice.

::Fuzz strats to rise to Tien's mind, the nLalalalalalalala::

((Merlin? Or Faust?))

((::twaps him in the head:: IM means in IM))

He was an example to spur me on to do whatever the Quest required of me.

((Is the priest listening or did he fall asleep?))

::the priest is quite astutely listening::

:;Tien had started to frown, but now looks at peace.::

CRACK!

((what!))

::Looks for the source of the sound::

::the air is split deafeningly by a burst of heat lightning::

::looking outside::

::heavy winds pick up all about you, as you see that the sky has clouded above you while you were conversing... or did is occur just now?::

((I thought the priest just screamed CRACK!))

((rofl))

::lightning of a multitude of colors flickers in the heavens::

The Sirroco!

What?

The World Fire!

::eyebrow quirks::

What is "the Scirroco"?

The event. ::Jumps up excited and starts running to the edge of the platform::

::as everyone jumps or sits calmly a huge blast of wind hits you as a blinding flash of blue lightning strikes right above you, removing sight for vital moments....you're tossed about as if on a great sea, and you can no longer feel the ground::

::Feels for the edge of the wall::

::sits calmly::

::this seems to last for an eternity and you cannot hear your own screams over the howling winds and booming lightning::

Pancreator Preserve us. AHHHhiiieeeeeee

::goes with the flow of it::

::suddenly a great force attacks your sides or backs, and you all slip into unconciousness::

::time passes::

((everyone list your Endurance + Stoic Body for me please))

## 6 for Ric ##

##End. + Stoic Body = 8##

##End + Stoic Body x2 = 8##

((just x1 tien, you arent rolling))

##7##

##maria .. wow.. has stoic body##

##end +stoic body = 5##

((::just gives his s all sorts of useful things without realizing it::))

::after an indeterminable amound of time, Ruiz returns to conciousness::

::looks around::

::besides the pain in his neck, Ruiz can notice that he's sitting in a gravelly patch of flat ground, somewhere with very thin air, Maria sits nearby brushing rocks from her clothes and the rest of the group lies about, tien seeming to be returning to conciousness::

Maria? ::standing, brushing off dust and debris:: What happened?

::however Emrys is nowhere to be seen::

I dont know.. I assume we were carried somwhere by the wind... I'd guess a mountain...

mmmmmm. ::Cough, Cough::

::she gestures to the open expanse of desert thousands of meters below as tien wakes::

::Rolls over::

::reaches down, offering a hand to Tien::

::other mountains are visible in the foreground and the background::

::OPens eyes:: Ruiz?

Yes, my friend. ::slight grin::

::the setting sun casting their shadows::

::Extends hand:: Thank you.

::Ricardo stirs then comes painfully awake::

::takes hand, helping Tien up::

OOOOooohh.

::Ric sneezes after having the misfortune of landing face down::

Lord Ric.. ::after seeing that Tien is okay::

::Looks around at the mountains:: Where are we?

::finally An comes awake, his wings all akimbo as he shivers in a patch of darkness::

::offers hand to Ric::

::a cast shadow of something hard to see in the dim light::

::brings a hand to his mouth and nose, patting and checking for blood::

::Hobbles of to AN to see if he is alright::

::stands shaking off the rocks and dust::

::everyone is sore, but otherwise whole::

AN, you alright? Your wings...

::straightens out his wings:: I've seen worst.

Good.

::raises himself on all fours before rolling to sit. Spits out dust from his mouth.::

::after the first surge of nausea you think that maybe thousands of meters was an over estimate, maybe only a couple hundred::

A hand, Lord?

Wha-what happened? Where is the Eskatonic?

Where are we?

Strange. ::looks to the shadow::

::the shadow that an is sitting in seems to be long and pointed, and thin.... being cast by a small.. obelisk? .. near the center of the plaform::

::looks where everyone else is looking::

:;Scans the entire area::

::walks off towards the spire::

:;Moves toward the spire::

::walks off, also::

::Standing:: Maria?

((Are we on the ground or on the original platform?))

::on examination the obelisk appears to be 5 meters tall, four sides, and made of dark terracite, with sigils carved on the sunward side::

::you stand on the flat top of a mountain some hundred to two hundred meters tall::

::standing with everyone:: I'm fine

Ruiz, what is it?

::moving to look at the obelisk:: Lord, I honestly don't know.

::trace the sigils with my finger::

::places his hands on the obelisk::

Do you... sense... anything about it? ::begins to walk cautiously toward the obelisk::

My abilities do not lie in that field, Lord... ::Looking at the sigils::

Is the Eskatonic not with us?

::looking intently at the obelisk::

((damn, i love when i type something and it erases it then tells me it's too complex))

::closes his eyes, hands on the obelisk::

((holdon, i'll send the sigils to you in a moment))

::Going to concerntrate very hard and use Subtle Sight::

##Introvert + PSI = 10, Accent -4##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 14

Crit

((holdon, i'll be with you in a sec))

((OK.))

((i just imed you all the sigils))

::tien sees nothing unusual about the obelisk, except perhaps the cold glow of stored psychic energy lying dormant.. or perhaps that how the sun hits it::

::moves to touch the obelisk::

::also below the two number series is a line of stranger symbols::

I believe that it is a marker fo the location on the planet. But I cvan not tell if it is a psychic battery or just the sun reflecting off it's internal. surfaces.

::an, the only one here with any real technology specific training for this type of thing... gets the idea that these number are coordinates.. but not necessarily for this spot if you're anywhere nearby Heliopolis::

::Maria pulls paper and charcoal from somewhere and makes a rubbing::

If this is not the coordinated for this spot, then what?

((Wait a min, I haven't said anything yet))

((Sorry.))

((lol))

So, we're on a mountain.. in the middle of a desert.. and night is falling

I'd advise we get to lower ground or find shelter fast.

((Is the same siglis on all four sides?))

((nope, only one side marked))

I would advise the opposite, my lord. This may be a place of power and could grant more visions. We were sent here for a reason

((everyone make me wits + observe rolls, double as normal))

##15##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 10

## Wits + OBS + OBS = 16 ##

##wits + observe x 2 = 15##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 3

rolled 1 20-sided die: 10

((whoa, Tien and I see the exact same thing))

##wits + observe + observe = 16##

rolled 1 20-sided die: 18

::those with successes remember that they saw a desert to the south of the city as they were landing the ship.. a good ways to the south, but almost directly south... so unless there's another desert somewhere, that's where you are::

((OK. If the desert was to the south of the city, then the city shoudl be to the north))

((i can agree with that, yes))

The city is to the north, I believe.

My DOn, can you call to the ship?

((I'm going to bail shortly))

I see. Give me a second. ::spreads his wings::

((s'okay))

((I also have to leave in a bit))

((we're almost done))

((ok))

::prepares to take off and see what he can see::

::the updrafts and side winds are pretty intense away from the platform::

::looks arounds quickly then lands::

::from a more commanding height an glimpsed a thin line in the sand, leading to a mountain nearby to the south, the line proceeding from there northward::

Lord, do we return to the city?

What I myself think is not as important as what the concensus of the group thinks?

::lands:: Allright, I see a thin line in the sand leading to a mountain to the south, then the line proceeds from there northward.

well, if we stay here we freeze to death, so unless there's a good reason for staying i suggest we leave

You are the Noble, Lord. We follow your commands.

My sister is as noble as I am Tien.

Yes, but you are incharge. No offense, My Lady.

We have a rubbing of the sigils. Is there any other reason to stay?

I suggest we head south. towards the line. ::walks off:: I myself do not like becoming a chunk of ice.

::turns to Maria, then to Ric:: Do you concur?

None taken ::begins looking for a way down::

Then let's go.

::I follow the Don::

((okay, and i'll handle the rest of the return trip via email))

~~~ OOC ~~~

::Following Maria, looking for a way down::

Okay all, I have to run. Have a good one! :)

night

We are most definitely on Pentateuch.

OK. Loved the descreiption of the Omega Plaza.

So did I... You really took your time on that one, Stephen. Nice. :)

<g> describing cities and planets is much easier when i have a skeleton to work with

Hasta La Pasta, everyone. It's nighty-night time for the boy in red ink.

night man.

Good night all.

if hazat fiefs comes out soon we'll be all good

Night all.

2324"45'34
R 8745"12'65